About us

The Australia-India Council (AIC) was established on 21 May 1992, in response to a recommendation by the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, following an inquiry into Australia's relations with India.

The Council's purpose is to broaden the relationship between Australia and India by encouraging and supporting contacts and increasing levels of knowledge and understanding between the peoples and institutions of the two countries. The Council initiates or supports a range of activities designed to promote a greater awareness of Australia in India and a greater awareness of India in Australia, including visits and exchanges between the two countries, development of institutional links, and support of studies in each country of the other. The Council offers support, in the form of funding, for projects likely to contribute to the development of the relationship, within the context of AIC objectives and guidelines.

By initiating and supporting a range of activities that have put it on the map, the Council has played a recognised and respected role in promoting the relationship between Australia and India. It has informed and educated Australians about India, and it has informed persons interested in the bilateral relationship about the way it is developing. It has furthered the Government's foreign policy and trade objectives and added value to Australia-India relations.

Key activities

The Council’s objectives are to:

raise awareness of Australia in India, and of India in Australia in a way that encourages further growth in relations between the two countries, including in the trade and investment relationship

promote exchange and collaboration between Australian and Indian organisations in fields of relevance to the bilateral strategic partnership

seek community involvement in, and private sector support for, the Council’s diplomacy efforts including by encouraging corporate investment in collaborations that advance Australia India relations

publicise the Council's activities as a means of encouraging broad support for the Council's role and the bilateral relationship.

To achieve the Council’s objectives, it initiates and funds projects under the following five priority categories. Preference is given to activities that foster ground-breaking and catalytic institutional collaborations in these areas:

Public Policy and Economics

Science

Higher Education

Sport

Arts and Culture

Mission Statement

The Australia-India Council advances Australia's interests concerning India by initiating and supporting activities designed to enhance awareness and understanding between the peoples and institutions of Australia and India.

Contact us

Please note if you wish to contact any AIC Board member you will need to contact the AIC Secretariat in Canberra in the first instance. If you represent a media organisation and urgently need to contact an AIC Board member please call DFAT's Media Liaison Section which is monitored 24 hours a day on 02 6261 1555.